Strengthening Vocational Training in North-East Montenegro

On 1st and 2nd December 2009, the Ministry of Education and Science of Montenegro, together with the Centre for Vocational Education, held a project planning workshop to discuss the way forward for the implementation of Project MNE/011 – Strengthening Vocational Training in North-East Montenegro.  The bilateral agreement for the project was finalized in October and the project is currently in the Inception Phase. 

In his opening address to workshop participants, Mr Dusko Rajkovic, Director of the Centre for Vocational Education, and National Project Co-ordinator for MNE/011, said that the implementation of the project should make a significant contribution to the implementation of the National Vocational Education and Training Development Strategy in Montenegro 2010 – 2014 which was recently submitted for review and adoption by the Government of Montenegro.  “The objectives and intended results of Project MNE/011, as detailed in the conceptual framework of the project, are very well aligned with the strategic goals of the strategy”, he said.

Photograph: Ms Ljiljana Garic, Head of Department of Adult Education – Centre for Vocational Education, presenting the results of her working group’s discussions at the MNE/011 project planning workshop.

The workshop was designed to facilitate discussion and debate amongst all key stakeholders to ensure that the project optimizes the contribution it makes to the sustainable development of Montenegro, in particular North-East Montenegro, through enhancing vocational training for the tourism and agriculture sectors.  It was attended by representatives from relevant Government ministries, municipal Governments, social partners, national and international development agencies and NGOs, vocational schools, private sector companies, as well as representatives of teachers, students and parents from the target area and sectors of the project. 

Chief Technical Adviser of Project MNE/011, Mr Tony Donovan, said “this workshop is an excellent opportunity to ensure that the tasks and activities implemented under the project reflect the views and opinions of all key stakeholders, thereby contributing to the sense of ownership and commitment to achievement of desired results”.

Workshop participants were given the opportunity to discuss, review and – where appropriate and necessary – revise the objectives and expected results, as well as the tasks and activities of the project.  All proposals and suggestions will be further considered in the preparation of the project inception report due for completion by the end of January 2010.